and just how strong our base is right now. and i'm really optimistic looking at all the yard signs around us. >> reporter: even in democratic strong holds where you would expect to see obama signs, there are also romney signs alongside them on many blocks. while romney supporters suggest the signs are indicative of growing support, the obama campaign takes a different view, and has a slightly different philosophy about the importance of yard signs. as they put it, signs don't vote. >> it's the people in our neighborhoods who are going to decide this election. it's not the yard signs. >> reporter: until recently, obama yard signs could be purchased online. so could romney signs. but the republican campaign office has also been handing them out free for months. this obama campaign office got its first batch of 1,500 yard signs to give away for free. the volunteers say when they hand over a sign, it's a chance for pulling in a recruit. >> we ask them if they're volunteers. and if they say, no, they haven't really done that, we sa